Why would USTA, Judges or Race Commissions want to clean up racing???

[Larry Bird Boy]

If they did, it would possibly cost them their livelihood. Just think about if they cracked down hard on the horsemen, owners, and suspended the horse from racing.  There would not be anyone to participate and that would mean all of the governing bodies and Usta directors and officers would be in the unemployment line.  And while we talk all about the horsemen being uneducated and unable to find another line of work, what about some of these racing commission big wigs, racino mangers, judges, and Usta officers? Most could not get employed in any type of job that they current milk right now or anywhere near the type of money they steal right now. Yes, it pays dearly for them to turn a blind eye or give a slight hand slap punishment so they can continue to go into the office tomorrow and pick up that fat salary that they could never get anywhere else.  You ever see what some of these racing officials and track management people look like? They are running neck and neck with the dirty horsemen. My guess is that between horsemen, owners and all of the Usta and governing bodies and track officials and management, maybe 5-10% of the whole crowd have any type of college education. There is no chance this game will ever get cleaned up unless it’s someone like Gural who is independently wealthy and doesn’t give a rats ass about money. Everyone else is scrambling to keep the game just as it is and keep the clock on countdown until their retirement. Yes, this finally makes sense now.

[Larry Bird Boy]

Yeah they don’t wanna clean it up or they’ll be without a job.

[Six Pence]

Sad but very possibly true...........li ke the pinball player who played all day and accumulated free games, when he was approached about the purpose of his daily ritual, he responded he merely wanted to continue to play the game.  For most of us in racing continuing to play the game is the primary goal.  Everybody wants an edge which allows them to continue to play the game.  Some work harder and some resort to more nefarious methods.  Some "top" trainers will do anything to retain their owners and play in the upper echelons while the guy with the two or three horses stable is looking for an edge to survive and  continue to play the game.  Combining the addiction of the business with few transferrable skills, most participants are likely to do most anything to keep on playing. Supplementing these factors with the minimally educated folks in management and you have the recipe for what we have today.

[caddy]

Yeah they don’t wanna clean it up or they’ll be without a job.

Every single year the USTA solicits membership to submit suggested modifications or ideas for rules.  Invariably, the only ideas they accept are submitted by insiders.  Then, the district reps reject all the rest.  Here's the thing  ^  any suggested rule sent in by a member should be more than considered.  It oughta be added right on, no question whatsoever.  If the members want it, no big shot insider should have any say.  Thoughts for improvements are instantly ignored, precisely as Larry suggests.  Why derail the gravy train?

[Stan durbread]

So you think every rule change proposed should be made a rule?  You obviously never read most of them. If you don’t like the way your representative is voting run against them. Most years nobody runs against the incumbent.

[Larry Bird Boy]

So you think every rule change proposed should be made a rule?  You obviously never read most of them. If you don’t like the way your representative is voting run against them. Most years nobody runs against the incumbent.

Why run? Even if you win you’ll be out on a limb by yourself like my plopper friend Dave Siegel. Other Usta guys hate him

[Hush Limbaugh II]

Been covered many times over the years.

https://www.ustrotting.com/assets/pdf/USTARuleBook.pdf
 
                                                                     PREFACE
This Rule Book is divided into two Chapters.

Chapter One is a compilation of the Rules and Regulations of The United States Trotting Association;

Chapter Two consists of the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Association. Since it is anticipated that in most instances the user of this Rule Book will be concerned primarily with the chapter on Rules, it is important for such a user to understand that the rules recited herein relating to the racing of horses, as opposed to the registration of horses, are applicable only to those non-pari-mutuel meetings over which no State Racing Commission, or other State Regulatory Body asserts primary jurisdiction. The rules governing the racing of horses at all pari-mutuel meetings in the various states, and certain non-pari-mutuel meetings in at least one state, are the rules of the applicable State Regulatory Bodies which promulgate and enforce their own rules.

In other words, the Useless Twatting "ASS"OCIATION has no authority or purpose in pari-mutual racing. NONE.

They only oversee fair racing or non pari-mutual events. That is their only claim to fame 

[Mailbox Money]

The nowadays judges are the biggest slackers in the history of racing! They go out of their way to avoid conflict and discipline! The dereliction of duty was set to full speed ahead with the implementation of "discount fines"! We are at a time when "Not on my watch " has turned into "Just don't let anyone see ya" cuz the last thing I want is to have to do paperwork or show up for a hearing. Back in the formative years drivers and trainers would avoid any track that had a P.J. that ruled with an iron fist! Self policing is useless when good money is involved!

[The Exporter]

I would think the direction comes from the top. They do not want to fund or be named in any legal actions.

[Generation XYZ]

This thread poses a great question. Why???

[Larry Bird Boy]

This thread poses a great question. Why???

Not sure XYZ but there ain’t no racing commission trying to lose their job. They gotta pretend like they don’t see anything going on

[Stan durbread]

This thread poses a great question. Why???

Because most are appointed by the governor and have no accountability anyone. 

[caddy]

Because most are appointed by the governor and have no accountability anyone.

Bingo

keep the train on the track and let it roll

[dinkadoo]

Sure the FBI put a bite into the industry by sending some bad apples to the pokey....

But how about all the tier 2 trainers that bought and used the same drugs..... That were on wire taps.....

That racing comissions -- have not gone after....d

USTA / Judges / Race Commissions --- they don't have the stomach to ask questions and potentially disrupt their paychecks.

[The Exporter]

That would be more suited for state criminal prosecution. We know the level of importance to the state is , out of sight, out of mind.
 If the states were to invest in investigating and prosecuting racing, where would that put all the programs they funded.
 On top of all the slot revenue and other tax abatements, New York just gave New York Racing Association a $500,000 loan to reconfigure and remodel Belmont Park.
Until political pressure becomes to great to ignore racing's integrity issues, no wholesale changes can be expected.
That is the difference between Feds and State law enforcement. Not that the Feds are immune to political pressures.